DEFEATING DYSFUNCTIONAL!

DEFEATING DYSFUNCTIONAL!

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-18 (NIV)

1. BEFORE YOU CAN BE ADOPTED YOU HAVE TO BECOME AN ORPHAN

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32 (NIV)

2. THIS MEANS YOU MUST FIRST REJECT YOUR OLD INHERITANCE

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. Galatians 4:1-3 (NIV)

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4-6 (NIV)

3. ONLY THEN CAN YOU BECOME AN HEIR AND CLAIM A NEW INHERITANCE

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:16-17 (NIV)

So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:7 (NIV)

Life Group Discussion:

1. What have you inherited from you family or orign that you want to be free from?

2. What does being adopted by God mean to you?

3. What part of your inheritance from God have you not claimed?